This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
Kenya's COVID-19 response has been marked by a series of roadblocks and checkpoints, with the General Service Unit (GSU) taking a firm stance on enforcing movement restrictions.
On a recent reporting trip, the author drove 250 kilometers from Nairobi, navigating through the countryside under curfew, and observed firsthand the measures in place to contain the virus.
At the Blue Post Hotel on Thika Road, the GSU were thorough in their checks, taking temperatures and scrutinizing paperwork before allowing passage.
Further down the road, at the Sagana bridge, travelers were required to alight, wash their hands, and provide their details before proceeding.
However, it was at the Thuci bridge, the boundary between Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties, that the author witnessed something remarkable – a disinfection booth, manned by paramedics, where travelers were sprayed from head to toe with disinfectant.
As the author continued on their journey, they observed the devastating impact of the pandemic on the roadside economy, with many kiosks selling fruit and seedlings forced out of business.
Despite the challenges, the author noted that the distribution system for essential supplies appeared unaffected, with trucks and pick-ups ferrying goods to the city under the cover of darkness.
With 11 roadblocks encountered during the journey, the author cautioned against taking unnecessary risks, emphasizing the importance of staying at home if it's not one's job.
Reflecting on the measures in place, the author identified three key observations:
- There is a risk of police brutality, but the authorities are learning to enforce movement restrictions without violence or corruption.
- Community transmission can be contained through geographically defined restrictions, but a prolonged disruption of national life will have severe economic consequences.
- Implementing rapid testing and fumigation centers at monitoring stations could help tame the spread of the virus.
As the pandemic continues to spread, the author urges policymakers to find a balance between safety measures and economic reopening, emphasizing the need to learn to live with the virus and safely reopen parts of the economy.
